Who else is planning to spend as much time outside as possible this summer? Whether it’s setting up my WFH office on the back porch, bringing my yoga mat to the park, or incorporating grilling into my meals, I love finding little ways to take advantage of nature.
Not only does grilling get me outside, but it also means guests are always welcome too. Instead of being tucked away in the kitchen, I can be part of the party, sipping on a glass of chilled rosé and enjoying good conversations. Not to mention the heavenly scent of charred food that screams summer. Though I’m no grilling expert (in fact, grilling most types of meat still intimidates me), I have found some easy outdoor grilling recipes that make me feel like a pro. Read on to discover 15 of my favorites.
Grilled Zucchini With Chile Mint Vinaigrette
Kicking off our list with one of my favorite veggies to grill is this simple grilled zucchini. I could seriously eat this veggie in any form—but when served with Chef Valerie Rice’s simple and flavorful vinaigrette, they’re hard to stop munching on.
Grilled Romaine Salad with Cherries and Feta
Hot lettuce has never sat right with me…that is until I tried this grilled remain recipe, sprinkled with feta and a meyer lemon dressing. The smoky flavor takes your typical salad to the next level.
Smashed Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges with Chimichurri
Sweet potato fries are my favorite side dish, and these wedges with chimichurri are no exception. I love how Camille lightly flattens the wedges on the grill to make them all the more crunchy and charred. Plus, this “shortcut” chimichurri is definitely a recipe to save.
Grilled Halloumi from Well Plated by Erin
I recently tried halloumi for the first time at Aba in Austin, and I was thoroughly impressed. This cheese appears elevated, however, it’s quick and straightforward to throw on the grill or under the broiler for a quick snack or appetizer. Bonus points if you top it off with anything from chili flakes to hot honey.
Grilled Peach and Asparagus Salad with Spicy Pepitas from Café Gratitude
There are a few components to this salad, so Camille recommends that you feel free to make them all, or simplify the recipe to suit your taste and how much time you want to give it. She also notes that the goji chipotle dressing is a good one to double and keep in the fridge all week—ditto with the spicy pepitas, which she stores in the freezer (though you can also just throw in a handful of toasted pumpkin seeds.)
Grilled Mushrooms from Love u0026amp; Lemons
Mushrooms are an underrated veggie to go on the grill. The best thing about these mushroom kebabs is that they allow this fantastic fungi to stay together while you’re tending to other ingredients on the grill. Plus, mushrooms pair well with any protein.
Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Grapefruit Avocado Salsa
When I think of grilling recipes in Texas, ninety percent of the time, I’m thinking of what variation of tacos I can whip up. After your shrimp is grilled and your tortillas are warmed (which takes under an hour), add your diced avocado and citrus salsa, and you’re ready to enjoy a light, yet protein-packed dinner.
Caramelized Onion and Prosciutto Pizza
Grilled pizza is having its moment, and this recipe is the best way to hop on the trend. Caramelized onions bring the sweetness, while prosciutto brings the saltiness. Each bite brings balanced flavor that’s hard to beat.
Spice-Rubbed Chicken Thighs
In an effort to shop on a budget, I’ve been searching for new ways to enjoy chicken thighs (spoiler alert: you may end up loving them more than chicken breasts). Simply throw together your spice blend and toss on the grill for an easy entree that even picky eaters will enjoy.
Grilled Salmon With Stone Fruit Salsa
This five-ingredient recipe never fails to save my summer nights. If you don’t have time to grill your salmon over cedar wood, simply toss your fish on the grill and top with chili lime seasoning before serving with a three-ingredient stone fruit salsa.
Lime-y Chicken Tacos with Jicama, Avocado, u0026 Mint
When Camille grills these for dinner, she usually makes double the amount of chicken she’ll need, so the next day for lunch she can just add the veggies, char the corn tortillas over the stove, and savor them all over again. Ditto on the veggies—she usually preps them in advance, throws them in containers in the fridge for kids to snack on, and saves the rest for these tacos.
Shrimp Skewers
As far as easy outdoor grill recipes go, this one is arguably the easiest. I love the gorgeous color that using veggies adds, but you can use whatever combination of whatever protein and extras you have on hand, and they will be equally delicious.
Honey-Grilled Peaches with Ice Cream
I’m being honest, grilled peaches used to freak me out. Something about hot fruit didn’t sit right with me, but this easy grill recipe changed my mind. Camille describes it best: “Grilled peaches are beautiful. They’re delicious. They require practically no prep beforehand, and everyone who sticks around for dessert can jump in and help with the slicing and grilling process together.”
Skillet Brownies from Vindulge
Who said brownies have to be an oven-only dessert? This recipe from Vindulge breaks the stereotype and allows you to cook all three courses al fresco.
Grilled Fruit Kabobs from Feel Good Foodie
Looking for a lighter dessert option? These grilled fruit kebabs take little to no effort, and bring the sweetest reward. Dip them in fresh whipped cream and enjoy a naturally sweet end to any summer day.
This post was last updated on May 24, 2025 to include new insights.
